New attempt launched to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales

A new attempt to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales has been launched, with Labour MP, Lauren Edwards, planning to bring back an identical Bill to the one passed by the House of Commons last year, but not passed by the House of Lords. 

Hospice UK has no collective view on whether assisted dying should be legal in England and Wales. Our aim is to ensure the experience and expertise of hospices, patients and families informs any debate on this issue. 

This Bill is being reintroduced at a time when hospice and palliative care is under strain. Already nearly 1 in 3 people don’t get the care they need at the end of their lives, and hospices who provide expert and compassionate palliative and end of life care are under increasing pressure. 

Katie Reade, Head of Policy & Public Affairs at Hospice UK, said: 

“The previous debate saw shared recognition across Parliament that palliative and end of life care is not sufficient for everyone who needs it. During this, we saw hospice services shrink. 

“Nearly 6 in 10 have made or are planning cuts to frontline services this year. Hospice beds are closed and community visits are decreasing, all at a time when demand for hospice services is rising. 

“It is unacceptable that anyone might feel they have to consider an assisted death because they fear they will not receive the care they need at the end of life. Improving access to high-quality palliative and end of life care must therefore remain a central focus for the Government, regardless of any changes to the law. 

“Real choice at the end of life means people have equitable access to high-quality care, whoever they are and wherever they live. 

“Opponents and supporters of the assisted dying Bill alike must fight to ensure high-quality palliative and end of life care is available to everyone who needs it, and hospices are properly funded, to be there for everyone who needs them. 

“Many significant unanswered questions for hospices remain, including workforce impacts and financial impacts on a sector already under pressure. We will continue to engage with parliamentarians, hospices and Government throughout the Bill process to ensure hospice services are protected if assisted dying is legalised.  

“Whatever Parliament decides, there must be action to ensure high-quality end of life care is available to all.”